Giles Martin, commented in an interview published in Rolling Stone about the problem with some Beatles tracks when played in Dolby Atmos, the technology on which Apple's spatial audio format is built. Martin, responsible for the Dolby Atmos mixes for the two albums, explains why Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band doesn't "sound all right" on Dolby Atmos, while Abbey Road does.
Everything seems to indicate that the bass are partly to blame for this little "problem" that was made public after the interview with Martin. The mix lacks bass by his account and notes that the Dolby Atmos version of ”Abbey Road” performs much better on this type of sound because it is sonically closer to the stereo version.
Sgt. Pepper's, how you present yourself right now, I'm actually going to change it.It doesn't sound very good to me. It's available on Apple Music right now. But I will replace it. It's good . But it's not good. Sgt. Pepper's was, I think, the first album mixed in Dolby Atmos. And we did it as a theatrical presentation. I liked the idea of the Beatles being the first to do something. It's great that they can still be the first to do something.
You can hear the difference with spatial audio. It may not always be better, but there is a difference. I think we are learning the tools to bring that difference to people. The good thing is that it creates a more inclined listening environment in which you pay attention to it, rather than just having audio in your head so you stop thinking.
Interestingly, Martin believes that advanced biometric technology such as facial recognition, body measurements, and ear pressure tests will one day be used to personalize the listening experience in the music.
The perception of the Dolby Atmos mixes in the headphones depends on multiple variables as we have commented on several occasions in the Apple podcast, this happens due to several factors such as the type of headphone, the thickness, whether it is with or without cable but it also affects the size of the earphone. the head to the bone structure of each person. That's why improving this listening experience is important for everyone and new technologies are needed to present recorded music as intended.